1942 Luger Issue

4 Scale · 07-28-2015, 12:59 AM

I recall reading somewhere that lack of spring tension on the toggle as it moves into the final closed position is one of the innate flaws in the Luger pistol design, and the U.S. Army noted this weakness during their tests and it was one of the reasons the design was rejected. The Luger toggle relies on momentum to seat against the cartridge face.

I look at it like, if we wanted a pistol that didn't have these odd design issues we'd never mess with Lugers to start with. The only good part of these function issues is the feeling of accomplishment when you get a recalcitrant Luger running right. I will be very interested to hear how your testing and fixing goes.

Zorba · 07-31-2015, 12:48 PM

Replace the mainspring, then troubleshoot the problem.

Springs are cheap, and do get tired. I make it a point to replace all springs when I acquire a used pistol.

dacotua · 07-31-2015, 03:23 PM

I got a new mainspring in the mail today, installed it (Thanks to youtube) and went back to the range. This time gun ran 5 magazines without issue.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-28-2015, 12:59 AM	#1
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 490 Times in 251 Posts	I recall reading somewhere that lack of spring tension on the toggle as it moves into the final closed position is one of the innate flaws in the Luger pistol design, and the U.S. Army noted this weakness during their tests and it was one of the reasons the design was rejected. The Luger toggle relies on momentum to seat against the cartridge face. I look at it like, if we wanted a pistol that didn't have these odd design issues we'd never mess with Lugers to start with. The only good part of these function issues is the feeling of accomplishment when you get a recalcitrant Luger running right. I will be very interested to hear how your testing and fixing goes.

07-31-2015, 12:48 PM	#2
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 528 Times in 290 Posts	Replace the mainspring, then troubleshoot the problem. Springs are cheap, and do get tired. I make it a point to replace all springs when I acquire a used pistol.

07-31-2015, 03:23 PM	#3
dacotua User Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I got a new mainspring in the mail today, installed it (Thanks to youtube) and went back to the range. This time gun ran 5 magazines without issue.